Manual
30
Charging And Priming
The ThunderHawk
®
If you have not read this manual in its entirety, do so before attempting
to load your firearm. IMPROPER LOADING AND USE OF YOUR
FIREARM CAN CAUSE INJURY AND/OR DEATH TO THE SHOOTER
OR BYSTANDERS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
The photo on page 31 shows a shooter in the process of loading a
ThunderHawk
®
. Study this photo carefully and read all the captions before you
proceed to charge your ThunderHawk
®
.
Before charging, insert the ramrod into the barrel and tap it up and down
several times. You will hear the metal cap of the ramrod “clink” as it contacts
the steel face of the breech. Note exactly how far the ramrod goes into the bar-
rel and how much of the rod extends beyond the muzzle when the barrel is
uncharged. Commit this exercise to memory and practice it every time that
you handle a muzzleloading firearm. Before you attempt to load it - before you
store it away - before you hand it to a friend or leave it unattended,
always
check to ensure that the firearm is unprimed and uncharged
.
The next precharging exercise is to wipe the bore free of all oil.
Be metic-
ulous with your cleaning for the presence of any amount of oil in the bar-
rel or chamber can dampen the powder charge and cause the rifle to mis-
fire or hangfire (see section on “Cleaning”)
. Point the muzzle in a safe
direction and snap several caps on the nipple before charging. This will ensure
ignition and clear away any oil that may have accumulated in the nipple port.
Adjust the powder measure to the desired charge and fill it with Black
Powder (or Pyrodex). To achieve accuracy, consistency in the powder charge
is required. Fill the measure exactly the same each time. Set the rifle on its
butt and
hold the muzzle away from your face and body as pictured on
page 31
. Pour the measured charge down the barrel and strike the side of the
barrel several sharp raps with the heel of your hand. This will settle the pow-
der into the chamber area of the barrel.
IF YOU ARE LOADING A ROUND BALL WITH
A CLOTH PATCH, PROCEED AS FOLLOWS.
Lay your lubricated cloth patch over the muzzle and place the round ball
in the center of the patch. Unifor
mity is impor
tant. Be cer
tain that the patch
is centered and that the weave of the cloth is placed exactly the same each
time. Also, the sprue mark (flat section on a cast ball) should be in the up posi-
tion and carefully centered.
Place the stubby end of the bullet starter on the top of the ball, as shown